"Old Knives"

[Jack Black]

Great-looking knife Charles :thumbup:

 

[waynorth]

Tell us more about the pic, Jack!

 

[Jack Black]

Tell us more about the pic, Jack!

That's the last John Watts premises Charlie, very close to where my grandfather grew up, in a particularly interesting area of Sheffield. It's now the premises of an unrelated business, and apartments I think. I'm not sure when Watts stopped trading, but I think they were still going until the 1980's. The building was a lot more run-down then, and it was empty for some years. Previously, the lettering in the panels was a deep red as were the edges of the boxes. I'll see if I can find an old pic

 

[Jack Black]

Here's a couple of pics I found online from when the building was empty, seems I was wrong about the red-paint, but I think it was red at some point, perhaps when the building was first renovated.

More pics here: http://www.picturesheffield.com/fro...ords;MATCHES;(^|[^a-zA-Z])Watts($|[^a-zA-Z]);

Some more info on the building: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-489003-john-watts-cutlery-works-

 

[chuko]

Jack thanks for the pictures of the John Watts building. Here is my other J Crossland & Sons/ Sheffield (1868-1924), this one is a little more fancy.

 

[Jack Black]

Absolutely beautiful Charles.

I think John Watts closed-up in 1983 or '84. You can find pics of other old Sheffield factories by searching on the site I've linked to above

 

[ptradeco]

I have several favorite places to shop. One is the Blade Forums Exchange (believe it or not a few of these came from there) the other is the wicker baskets and trays that some guys put on their tables at gun shows. The best part, I have no more than $10 invested in any of them! Following is a sampling of recent finds:

Straight Line Remington 1/2 Congress

Czech Snuff Knife

Cattaraugus Jack

USA Forge

The much maligned Syracuse Knife Co.

Robeson (CNoyes Comments Welcome)

Caldwell Cutlery

 

[Will Power]

That Caldwell looks very interesting, nice Shadow elegance. Is it ivory?

The marking 'Prussia 'rather than 'Germany' interests me. It's odd but it could indicate a pre World War One knife, maybe. Or is there a Prussia in your USA?

 

[ptradeco]

That Caldwell looks very interesting, nice Shadow elegance. Is it ivory?

The marking 'Prussia 'rather than 'Germany' interests me. It's odd but it could indicate a pre World War One knife, maybe. Or is there a Prussia in your USA?

Goin's says this particular tang stamp is 1910-14. It is what I believe is called French Linen but is some of the best I have seen.

 

[Will Power]

Thanks Brad, it's a really fine knife, lot of elegance.

The Robeson has certainly seen some stone in its life Nice bolster on that one, real quality.

Regards, Will

 

[ptradeco]

Thanks Brad, it's a really fine knife, lot of elegance.

The Robeson has certainly seen some stone in its life Nice bolster on that one, real quality.

Regards, Will

Will I am kind of the belief that the Robeson is actually nearly unused. I should have put up some better pics. I think it is a cuticle knife possibly. The trough with its wrap around spring is a perfect fit for this blade. Kind of why I asked CNoyes to chime in. Goin's puts this particular tang stamp in the 1896-1922 range.

 

[Will Power]

Ah, now I see, foolish of me. Large kick on that too, sort of stovepipe I think. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[ptradeco]

Here's an old whittler I'd just like to add to this thread, so Ryan can see an example from CJ Johnson "Western Works' Sheffield. The knife measures just under 4" (closed) brass liners, stag , all the blades are marked identically with the CJ Johnson name and trademark flag and 'hand forged' on the pile side. All blades have a glazed finish and open and close with a solid "thunk'..very satisfying



Mick

Drool worthy. Just a primo knife Mick. Outstanding!

 

[ptradeco]

Absolutely beautiful Charles.

I think John Watts closed-up in 1983 or '84. You can find pics of other old Sheffield factories by searching on the site I've linked to above

I need to come visit and hire you as a tour guide Jack.

Jack thanks for the pictures of the John Watts building. Here is my other J Crossland & Sons/ Sheffield (1868-1924), this one is a little more fancy.

Stunning as always Charles

 

[CNoyes]

The little ivoroid handled knife is a George Washington commemorative produced in, I believe, 1936.

Several cutlery manufacturers in the U.S. made them that year, the anniversary year of his birth. They were not all the same size. I believe Camillus made the largest version.

Many had G. Washington's facsimile signature etched on the blade. Some had explanatory engraving on a handle.

Robeson provided this wrapper.

I hope you can read it.

Apparently, he owned such a knife at one time and it remains in the possession of a Masonic Lodge.



Edit:

 

[ptradeco]

The little ivoroid handled knife is a George Washington commemorative produced in, I believe, 1936.

Several cutlery manufacturers in the U.S. made them that years. They were not all the same size. I believe Camillus made the largest version.

Many had G. Washington's facsimile signature etched on the blade. Some had explanatory engraving on a handle.

Robeson provided this wrapper.

I hope you can read it.

Apparently, he owned such a knife at one time and it remains in the possession of a Masonic Lodge.



Edit:

Thanks Charles. I hoped you would see this. What about the tang stamp attribute from Goin's, any ideas?

 

[CNoyes]

Tom Kalcevic, in Knives Can Talk!, dates that stamp 1917 - 1939. That's based on his research. I, personally, have no idea.

However, we know the knives were produced in 1936, so that's the date on your knife.

Kalcevic's dates for the stamp coincides with that.

 

[ptradeco]

Tom Kalcevic, in Knives Can Talk!, dates that stamp 1917 - 1939. That's based on his research. I, personally, have no idea.

However, we know the knives were produced in 1936, so that's the date on your knife.

Kalcevic's dates for the stamp coincides with that.

Thanks Charlie. Appreciate the knowledge.

 

[lambertiana]

Jack thanks for the pictures of the John Watts building. Here is my other J Crossland & Sons/ Sheffield (1868-1924), this one is a little more fancy.

Charles - Half the fun of this thread is waiting to see what new beauty you are going to show. This one is spectacular.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I Love this Thread!, every page is a journey all on it's own!!